He is RISEN!

Happy Easter everyone!



He lives indeed!

Resurrection Rolls

Most of you have probably seen this recipe but I thought I would still post it just in case. It's a really fun, visual way to show kids the true story of Jesus' burial and resurrection. Enjoy!

Resurrection Rolls

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees

Ingredients:
Crescent rolls
Melted butter
Large marshmallows
Cinnamon
Sugar

Give each child a triangle of crescent rolls. The crescent roll represents the cloth that Jesus was wrapped in.

Read Matthew 27:57-61

1. Give each child a marshmallow. This represents Jesus.
2. Have him/her dip the marshmallow in melted butter. This represents the oils of embalming.
3. Now dip the buttered marshmallow in the cinnamon and sugar which represents the spices used to anoint the body.
4. Then wrap up the coated marshmallow tightly in the crescent roll (not like a typical crescent roll up, but bring the sides up and seal the marshmallow inside.) This represents the wrapping of Jesus' body after death.
5. Place in a 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes. (The oven represents the tomb - pretend like it was three days!)
6. Let the rolls cool slightly. The children can open their rolls (cloth) and discover that Jesus is no longer there, HE IS RISEN!!!! (The marshmallow melts and the crescent roll is puffed up, but empty.)

Now read Matthew 28:5-8

Explain: At the tomb, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary saw an angel, who told them not to be afraid. No one had taken Jesus' body, but He Had risen from the dead! The angel told the women to go and tell the disciples what they had seen, that Jesus had risen from the dead. They were so excited, they ran all the way home to tell the disciples the good news! He is risen from the dead! Alleluia!

After that Jesus appeared in person to Peter, then to the 12 disciples and after that, to more than 500 people. Jesus' appearance to eyewitnesses, those who saw Him with their own eyes, would give support and prove that Jesus rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3-6).

By rising from the dead, Jesus proved once and for all that He was the Messiah, the Savior of the World, the Chosen One, and the Lamb of God. By dying on the cross and rising from the dead, Jesus did what no other had ever done before. As both God and man, He overcame sin, death, and hell. And now because of what Jesus has done, these things no longer have any power over those who believe in Jesus and allow His Spirit to lead and direct them. Rather than being slaves to sin and death, Christians ( those who love and believe in Jesus) are free to obey God and do good ( Romans 6:17-18). The Bible says in John 8:36, "If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed."

However, we will only obey God if we listen to the Holy Spirit our helper. He enables believers in Jesus to do the right thing. It is important that we read the Bible (God's Word) because one of the ways the Holy Spirit helps us obey God is by reminding us of what He says to us in His Word. God's Spirit will never go against his Word. In fact, when we read God's Word, we are listening to the Holy Spirit. Of course, you won't always do the right thing; the Bible says this ) 1 John 1:5-10). But that is why we need to continue to confess our sins knowing that God forgives us, based on what Jesus did on the cross. This is also a reason we need to spend time with other believers in Christ so they can encourage us in our faith.

May you have a blessed and meaningful Easter!

Information taken from this post.

Especially good post...

on the "Like a warm cup of coffee" blog. Here is the link... I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Hosanna! He is mighty to save!

Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!

Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and having salvation,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Zechariah 9:9
Written some 500+ years before this next passage:

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away."

This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
"Say to the Daughter of Zion,
'See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.' "

The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. ⁹The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
"Hosanna to the Son of David!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Hosanna in the highest!"

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?"

The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."

Matthew 21:1-11

All praise to our King who is to come again, only this time it won't be on a lowly donkey but on a great white horse! How glorious that will be!

Please pray for Mark!

I am updating my sidebar with a link to a lovely lady's site! I do not know her personally but have come to pray for her husband through friends of friends. You know how that goes! Anyway, her husband was in a horrific motorcycle accident this past weekend. Wait until you read her updates. This woman in a strong woman of faith! It will bless you and please pray for Mark!

New Verse

Yes! I have a new memory verse, finally! I sure hope the last one sunk in... if not in word at least in essence and intention. I've already forgotten the first verse that I memorized when starting on this trek.

I actually got this verse from my mother-in-law today! I mentioned to her that I need to come up with a new verse to memorize and she had this one right handy! I LOVE it! I especially love the "perfect peace" part. What IS perfect peace?! I suppose we won't know it exactly this side of heaven. Or, I don't know... maybe there is that rare person who is consistently and steadfastly trusting in the Lord. I am not one of them... yet! I still struggle too much with giving up control and quickly taking back the reigns. But, we've been down that road before. No need to rehash at this point I suppose.

What I hope to take away from this verse is: First that it is God who gives us perfect peace. Not a bank account, not material possessions, not job security... though all of these things are nice.. but GOD! Second, perfect peace in conditional... it doesn't just come because we are born-again, although there is a certain peace that comes with that. But perfect peace comes from God WHEN and IF our minds are steadfast and trusting in Him alone.

So... may I (and you) remember to keep my eyes on the prize... oh, what a prize!... so that we can get a glimpse of the perfect peace that is promised to us! Praise God!

It's official... my babies are growing up!

My baby is slowly but surely slipping away and becoming a little boy! I'm not ready! I guess I better brace myself 'cause it's ain't going away! On Friday, we set up his toddler bed. Was a little bit of a last minute decision as to when to do it. He did great for his nap. Just laid there and napped as usual. Same with Friday evening.

Here he is Friday afternoon at nap time. So proud of his big boy bed! And, of course, Dani had to be in on the whole thing! What a hoot!

And I had to sneak in and take a picture of him while he was sleeping Saturday at nap time.

Oh, I have to tell ya'll the funniest story! Tyler has obviously realized since Thursday's gloriously wonderful stay-in-bed time, that he can get OUT of his bed as he wishes. So, he got up once or twice at nap time yesterday but stayed in bed from then on. Last night was another story altogether! He got up once and just ran out of his room! Um, I don't think so! Tyler, you STAY in your bed, okay? Tyler: "Okay!" Next thing we know, his door is opening and he is on his hands and knees peeking out around the corner. Keven and I could not help but crack up! It was hilarious! We eventually put a gate up at his door so he cannot get out! He will learn. Funny how I have forgotten how this whole process went with the girls!

This afternoon he got out of bed (we were downstairs) and was sitting in the recliner reading a book! The gate went right up! He is now in bed, leisurely kicking the wall and singing to himself! Oh that child!

Now, to add insult to injury... I was watching Jimmy and Karen Evans on t.v. this morning. I love to listen to them on Sunday mornings if I get a chance. If you've never heard of them, here is a link to their site. Anyway, somehow he got on the subject of when you should have "THE talk" with your kids. His suggestion? Between the ages of 8 & 10! HUH?! Marlie will be 9 in a month! This cannot be happening! I feel like she is nowhere near ready to have that information. But, Jimmy Evans made a good point that we need to get to them before outside influences do. We need to approach them with a godly, biblical perspective before the world does with their misinformation! YES, that's right... but I'M NOT READY!!!!!! I've had the series called "God's Design for Sex" in my nightstand for quite some time. I guess it's time to get it out! YIKES!!!!!